US3971013A - Touch keyboard - Google Patents

Touch keyboard Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3971013A
US3971013A US05/570,990 US57099075A US3971013A US 3971013 A US3971013 A US 3971013A US 57099075 A US57099075 A US 57099075A US 3971013 A US3971013 A US 3971013A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
gas discharge
keyboard
discharge panel
touch
touch key
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US05/570,990
Inventor
Francis Loyola Challoner
Hemmige Desikachar Varadarajan
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
International Business Machines Corp
Original Assignee
International Business Machines Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by International Business Machines Corp filed Critical International Business Machines Corp
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3971013A publication Critical patent/US3971013A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
    • G06F3/0487—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
    • G06F3/0488—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/041—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
    • G06F3/044—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by capacitive means
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
    • H03K17/00—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking
    • H03K17/94—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking characterised by the way in which the control signals are generated
    • H03K17/96—Touch switches
    • H03K17/962—Capacitive touch switches
    • H03K17/9622—Capacitive touch switches using a plurality of detectors, e.g. keyboard
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
    • H03K17/00—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking
    • H03K17/94—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking characterised by the way in which the control signals are generated
    • H03K17/965—Switches controlled by moving an element forming part of the switch
    • H03K17/975—Switches controlled by moving an element forming part of the switch using a capacitive movable element
    • H03K17/98—Switches controlled by moving an element forming part of the switch using a capacitive movable element having a plurality of control members, e.g. keyboard
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
    • H03K17/00—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking
    • H03K17/94—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking characterised by the way in which the control signals are generated
    • H03K17/96—Touch switches
    • H03K2017/9602—Touch switches characterised by the type or shape of the sensing electrodes
    • H03K2017/9604—Touch switches characterised by the type or shape of the sensing electrodes characterised by the number of electrodes
    • H03K2017/9613—Touch switches characterised by the type or shape of the sensing electrodes characterised by the number of electrodes using two electrodes per touch switch
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
    • H03K2217/00—Indexing scheme related to electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making or -breaking covered by H03K17/00
    • H03K2217/94—Indexing scheme related to electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making or -breaking covered by H03K17/00 characterised by the way in which the control signal is generated
    • H03K2217/96—Touch switches
    • H03K2217/9607—Capacitive touch switches
    • H03K2217/960735—Capacitive touch switches characterised by circuit details
    • H03K2217/960745—Capacitive differential; e.g. comparison with reference capacitance

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a touch keyboard.
  • the touch keyboard makes use of the capacitance introduced when an operator touches a selected key.
  • the great advantage of touch keyboards is that there are no moving parts and thus their reliability is high.
  • Cathode-ray tube displays are known in which sensing wires are attached to the screen of a data display cathode-ray tube. Each sensing wire is connected to a source of AC voltage associated with a detector circuit. The detector circuit is responsive to the body capacitance of an operator touching one of the wires to generate a signal which controls the actual data displayed.
  • U.K. Pat. Specification Nos. 1,288,925 and 1,311,713 described cathode-ray tube displays of this type.
  • Other general prior art showing touch keyboards are U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,757,322, 3,482,241, 3,382,588, 3,244,369, 3,846,791, and 2,659,533.
  • Touch operated displays have application in data processing systems where human operators are required to communicate with data processing devices.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide an improved means of energizing the touch keys used with a gas discharge panel type displays.
  • a touch operated keyboard comprising an AC driven gas discharge panel display, at least one conductive touch key located to pick up an AC voltage from the stray field generated by the gas discharge panel, and means to detect the drop in AC voltage level of at least one key due to the proximity of an operator's finger.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a touch operated keyboard embodying the invention.
  • FIGS. 2A and 2B show the AC signal waveform picked up by a touch key when untouched and touched respectively.
  • FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a detector circuit connected to a touch key.
  • FIG. 4 shows the operating voltage levels of the detector circuit of FIG. 2.
  • FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a touch operated display using the touch operated keyboard shown in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a touch operated keyboard embodying the invention
  • this figure shows a gas discharge panel 1. Only a brief description of a gas discharge panel will be given here, but a detailed description of the construction of a gas discharge panel will be found in U.K. Pat. Specification No. 1,258,219, entitled, "Gas Panel Display Device.” Other gas discharge display patents teaching how such a device is constructed and operated are U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,559,190 and 3,837,724.
  • Gas discharge panel 1 consists of spaced apart front glass plate 2 and rear glass plate 3 which are sealed around the edges to provide a sealed envelope. A number of horizontal conductors 4 and vertical conductors 5 which are spaced apart from each other extend through the sealed envelope.
  • the gas discharge panel 1 includes an ionizable gas within the sealed envelope and regions in the vicinity of coordinate intersections of horizontal conductors 4 and vertical conductors 5 define gas discharge sites which we will call gas cells.
  • a gas cell is ignited and illuminated by a write operation by applying half select voltages to its respective horizontal and vertical conductors to provide a potential difference across the gas cell which exceeds the ignition potential of the cell. Once ignited, a gas cell is maintained in this condition by a periodic sustain voltage continuously applied to all horizontal and vertical conductors. An ignited gas cell is extinguished during an erase operation when zero potential is applied across the cell.
  • a sheet 6 of glass, Mylar (Registered Trade Mark) or similar transparent insulating material is located on the surface of front glass plate 2.
  • Sheet 6 has a conductive film deposited upon its surface to form touch keys 7, edge connections 8 and interconnecting lines 9.
  • the conductive film is preferably transparent and deposited gold has been found suitable.
  • Other conductive substances such as transparent tin oxide are well-known.
  • a conductive film may be deposited directly on the outer surface of front glass plate 2 to form touch keys 7, edge connections 8 and interconnecting lines 9.
  • a protective sheet of glass or Mylar (Registered Trade Mark) or other transparent insulating material is then placed over the deposited conductive film.
  • a periodic sustain voltage is applied to all horizontal conductors 4 and vertical conductors 5.
  • This periodic sustain voltage is typically a square wave having a repetition rate of 30K Hz.
  • This AC operation of gas discharge panel 1 generates a stray external field in which touch keys 7 are located.
  • touch keys 7 will pick up an AC signal voltage which is connected to edge connections 8.
  • the AC signal voltage picked up by touch keys 7 is constant over most of gas discharge panel 1 for a given touch key size and is proportional to touch key area. This AC signal voltage is substantially independent of the state of illumination of the individual gas cells. By selecting the areas of the touch keys according to position, it is arranged that all touch keys 7 pick up the same AC signal voltage which typically has an amplitude of 20 volts. An actual AC signal voltage waveform is shown in FIG. 2A. When an operator touches a touch key 7, the AC signal voltage picked up by the touch key falls to less than 50% of the AC signal voltage of the key in the untouched condition as shown in FIG. 2B. This is due to the capacitive loading of the touch key by the body of the operator.
  • This AC signal voltage is detected by a detector circuit connected to edge connection 8.
  • the detector circuit generates a binary signal which may be used to control the information displayed by the gas discharge.
  • FIG. 3 A suitable detector circuit is shown in FIG. 3.
  • touch key 7 is connected to edge connection 8 which supplies an AC signal voltage to resistor R1.
  • Resistors R1 and R2 form a potential divider and provide a high resistance load for touch key 7.
  • the reduced AC signal voltage at the junction of resistors R1 and R2 is rectified by diode D and smoothed by capacitor C to eliminate the 30 kHz ripple from the AC signal square wave voltage.
  • a DC signal voltage is supplied to the -Ve input terminal of differential amplifier 10.
  • a reference potential Vref is applied to the +Ve terminal of differential amplifier 10.
  • This reference potential Vref is generated from a voltage source +V by a variable potential divider R3 and R4 enabling Vref to be set at 3.6 volts, between Vsig and VsigT as shown in FIG. 4.
  • a load resistor R5 is connected between the output terminal of differential amplifier 10 and a voltage source +V. When rectified signal voltage untouched Vsig is present, it is inverted by amplifier 10 to turn on the output stage of amplifier 10 and produce a down level at its output terminal. A rectified signal touched VsigT turns output stage of amplifier 10 off to produce an up level at its output terminal.
  • the touch keyboard described herein has good noise immunity as the AC signal voltage on the touch keys is high and so a sensitive amplifier is not required. Also, external electrical noise and mains hum from the body of an operator have little effect.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates a touch operated display embodying the present invention. This figure is in block form and for details of the operation of a gas discharge panel display, the aforementioned U.K. Pat. No. 1,317,663 or the noted U.S. Pat. should be consulted.
  • a gas discharge panel 1 has touch keys 7 as described with reference to FIG. 1.
  • Each touch key 7 is connected to a detector circuit as in FIG. 3 denoted by block 15.
  • the binary outputs of the detector circuits feed a key coding device 16 which is known in the art, and which generates an N bit code on N lines 17 indicative of key position.
  • the N lines 17 are a data input to data processor 18 which is associated with a data base 19.
  • Data processor 18 supplies command signal S to Write, Erase and Sustain Controls 19 which operate the horizontal selection circuit 20 and vertical selection circuit 21 to illuminate individual gas cells of gas discharge panel 1 as taught in the aforementioned patents.
  • Each touch key 7 is transparent and overlays a display position in which data from data base 19 may be displayed under the control of data processor 18.
  • a display position can, therefore, be an information position or command position, the latter enabling "interactive" use of the device whereby the total information displayed can be determined by the key selection.

Abstract

A touch operated keyboard comprising an AC driven gas discharge panel display with conductive touch keys located to pick up an AC voltage from the stray field generated by the gas discharge panel is disclosed. A detector detects the drop in AC voltage level of a key due to the proximity of an operator's finger. The touch keys may be deposited upon the surface of the gas panel or upon a separate transparent sheet. The keyboard may be operated to change the information displayed by the gas panel.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a touch keyboard. The touch keyboard makes use of the capacitance introduced when an operator touches a selected key. The great advantage of touch keyboards is that there are no moving parts and thus their reliability is high.
PRIOR ART
Cathode-ray tube displays are known in which sensing wires are attached to the screen of a data display cathode-ray tube. Each sensing wire is connected to a source of AC voltage associated with a detector circuit. The detector circuit is responsive to the body capacitance of an operator touching one of the wires to generate a signal which controls the actual data displayed. U.K. Pat. Specification Nos. 1,288,925 and 1,311,713 described cathode-ray tube displays of this type. Other general prior art showing touch keyboards are U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,757,322, 3,482,241, 3,382,588, 3,244,369, 3,846,791, and 2,659,533.
Touch operated displays have application in data processing systems where human operators are required to communicate with data processing devices.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide an improved touch keyboard and display.
Another object of the invention is to provide an improved means of energizing the touch keys used with a gas discharge panel type displays.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, there is provided a touch operated keyboard comprising an AC driven gas discharge panel display, at least one conductive touch key located to pick up an AC voltage from the stray field generated by the gas discharge panel, and means to detect the drop in AC voltage level of at least one key due to the proximity of an operator's finger.
In order that the invention may be more readily understood, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a touch operated keyboard embodying the invention.
FIGS. 2A and 2B show the AC signal waveform picked up by a touch key when untouched and touched respectively.
FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a detector circuit connected to a touch key.
FIG. 4 shows the operating voltage levels of the detector circuit of FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a touch operated display using the touch operated keyboard shown in FIG. 1.
SPECIFICATION
Referring now to FIG. 1, which illustrates a touch operated keyboard embodying the invention, this figure shows a gas discharge panel 1. Only a brief description of a gas discharge panel will be given here, but a detailed description of the construction of a gas discharge panel will be found in U.K. Pat. Specification No. 1,258,219, entitled, "Gas Panel Display Device." Other gas discharge display patents teaching how such a device is constructed and operated are U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,559,190 and 3,837,724.
Gas discharge panel 1 consists of spaced apart front glass plate 2 and rear glass plate 3 which are sealed around the edges to provide a sealed envelope. A number of horizontal conductors 4 and vertical conductors 5 which are spaced apart from each other extend through the sealed envelope. The gas discharge panel 1 includes an ionizable gas within the sealed envelope and regions in the vicinity of coordinate intersections of horizontal conductors 4 and vertical conductors 5 define gas discharge sites which we will call gas cells. A gas cell is ignited and illuminated by a write operation by applying half select voltages to its respective horizontal and vertical conductors to provide a potential difference across the gas cell which exceeds the ignition potential of the cell. Once ignited, a gas cell is maintained in this condition by a periodic sustain voltage continuously applied to all horizontal and vertical conductors. An ignited gas cell is extinguished during an erase operation when zero potential is applied across the cell.
By selective write operations, information may be visibly displayed on the gas discharge panel 1 in the form of characters, symbols, lines and the like. U.K. Pat. Specification No. 1,317,663, entitled, "Gas Discharge Panel Display" provides a detailed description of gas discharge panel operation.
A sheet 6 of glass, Mylar (Registered Trade Mark) or similar transparent insulating material is located on the surface of front glass plate 2. Sheet 6 has a conductive film deposited upon its surface to form touch keys 7, edge connections 8 and interconnecting lines 9. The conductive film is preferably transparent and deposited gold has been found suitable. Other conductive substances such as transparent tin oxide are well-known. To avoid wear of the conductive keys 7, sheet 6 is placed with the conductive film in contact with front glass plate 2.
Alternatively, a conductive film may be deposited directly on the outer surface of front glass plate 2 to form touch keys 7, edge connections 8 and interconnecting lines 9. A protective sheet of glass or Mylar (Registered Trade Mark) or other transparent insulating material is then placed over the deposited conductive film.
When the gas discharge panel 1 is operating, a periodic sustain voltage is applied to all horizontal conductors 4 and vertical conductors 5. This periodic sustain voltage is typically a square wave having a repetition rate of 30K Hz. This AC operation of gas discharge panel 1 generates a stray external field in which touch keys 7 are located. Thus, touch keys 7 will pick up an AC signal voltage which is connected to edge connections 8.
It has been found that the AC signal voltage picked up by touch keys 7 is constant over most of gas discharge panel 1 for a given touch key size and is proportional to touch key area. This AC signal voltage is substantially independent of the state of illumination of the individual gas cells. By selecting the areas of the touch keys according to position, it is arranged that all touch keys 7 pick up the same AC signal voltage which typically has an amplitude of 20 volts. An actual AC signal voltage waveform is shown in FIG. 2A. When an operator touches a touch key 7, the AC signal voltage picked up by the touch key falls to less than 50% of the AC signal voltage of the key in the untouched condition as shown in FIG. 2B. This is due to the capacitive loading of the touch key by the body of the operator.
This AC signal voltage is detected by a detector circuit connected to edge connection 8. The detector circuit generates a binary signal which may be used to control the information displayed by the gas discharge.
A suitable detector circuit is shown in FIG. 3. In the Figure, touch key 7 is connected to edge connection 8 which supplies an AC signal voltage to resistor R1. Resistors R1 and R2 form a potential divider and provide a high resistance load for touch key 7. The reduced AC signal voltage at the junction of resistors R1 and R2 is rectified by diode D and smoothed by capacitor C to eliminate the 30 kHz ripple from the AC signal square wave voltage. Thus, a DC signal voltage is supplied to the -Ve input terminal of differential amplifier 10.
When key 7 is untouched, a signal voltage as shown in FIG. 2A produces a rectified signal untouched Vsig of approximately 4.8 volts. When key 7 is touched (FIG. 2B) this voltage level falls to rectified signal touched VsigT of approximately 2.4 volts as shown in FIG. 4.
A reference potential Vref is applied to the +Ve terminal of differential amplifier 10. This reference potential Vref is generated from a voltage source +V by a variable potential divider R3 and R4 enabling Vref to be set at 3.6 volts, between Vsig and VsigT as shown in FIG. 4.
A load resistor R5 is connected between the output terminal of differential amplifier 10 and a voltage source +V. When rectified signal voltage untouched Vsig is present, it is inverted by amplifier 10 to turn on the output stage of amplifier 10 and produce a down level at its output terminal. A rectified signal touched VsigT turns output stage of amplifier 10 off to produce an up level at its output terminal. These output voltage levels can be made acceptable to conventional TTL logic circuits.
The following were used in the detector circuit of FIG. 3:Differential Amplifier 10 1/4 Module MC 3302P By Motorola (Registered Trade Mark)______________________________________Resistors R1, R2 1MΩResistor R3 200ΩResistor R4 5KΩResistor R5 2.5KΩCapacitor C 10 Kpf+V + 5 volts______________________________________
It has been found that the touch keyboard described herein has good noise immunity as the AC signal voltage on the touch keys is high and so a sensitive amplifier is not required. Also, external electrical noise and mains hum from the body of an operator have little effect.
FIG. 5 illustrates a touch operated display embodying the present invention. This figure is in block form and for details of the operation of a gas discharge panel display, the aforementioned U.K. Pat. No. 1,317,663 or the noted U.S. Pat. should be consulted. In FIG. 5, a gas discharge panel 1 has touch keys 7 as described with reference to FIG. 1. Each touch key 7 is connected to a detector circuit as in FIG. 3 denoted by block 15. The binary outputs of the detector circuits feed a key coding device 16 which is known in the art, and which generates an N bit code on N lines 17 indicative of key position.
The N lines 17 are a data input to data processor 18 which is associated with a data base 19. Data processor 18 supplies command signal S to Write, Erase and Sustain Controls 19 which operate the horizontal selection circuit 20 and vertical selection circuit 21 to illuminate individual gas cells of gas discharge panel 1 as taught in the aforementioned patents.
Each touch key 7 is transparent and overlays a display position in which data from data base 19 may be displayed under the control of data processor 18. A display position can, therefore, be an information position or command position, the latter enabling "interactive" use of the device whereby the total information displayed can be determined by the key selection.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (10)

What is claimed is:
1. A touch operated keyboard comprising:
an AC driven gas discharge panel display;
at least one conductive touch key located proximate said display to pick up an AC voltage from said stray field generated by the gas discharge panel; and
means to detect the drop in AC voltage level of said at least one key due to the proximity of an operator's finger.
2. A keyboard as claimed in claim 1, in which each touch key overlays a display position on the gas discharge panel and the touch key is operable to change the information displayed in that position and/or any other positions.
3. A keyboard as claimed in claim 1 in which said conductive key comprises a metallic layer deposited upon a surface of the gas discharge panel.
4. A keyboard as claimed in claim 3, in which each touch key overlays a display position on the gas discharge panel and the touch key is operable to change the information displayed in that position and/or any other positions.
5. A keyboard as claimed in claim 3, in which said metallic layer is transparent.
6. A keyboard as claimed in claim 5, in which each touch key overlays a display position on the gas discharge panel and the touch key is operable to change the information displayed in that position and/or any other positions.
7. A keyboard as claimed in claim 1 in which said conductive key comprises a metallic layer upon a sheet of transparent insulating material, and; said transparent sheet is placed over the surface of said gas discharge panel.
8. A keyboard as claimed in claim 7, in which each touch key overlays a display position on the gas discharge panel and the touch key is operable to change the information displayed in that position and/or any other positions.
9. A keyboard as claimed in claim 7, in which said metallic layer is transparent.
10. A keyboard as claimed in claim 9, in which each touch key overlays a display position on the gas discharge panel and the touch key is operable to change the information displayed in that position and/or any other positions.
US05/570,990 1974-10-01 1975-04-23 Touch keyboard Expired - Lifetime US3971013A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
UK42541/74 1974-10-01
GB4254174A GB1435265A (en) 1974-10-01 1974-10-01 Touch keyboard

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3971013A true US3971013A (en) 1976-07-20

Family

ID=10424878

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US05/570,990 Expired - Lifetime US3971013A (en) 1974-10-01 1975-04-23 Touch keyboard

Country Status (12)

Country Link
US (1) US3971013A (en)
JP (1) JPS5518933B2 (en)
AT (1) AT356939B (en)
BE (1) BE832471A (en)
CH (1) CH589891A5 (en)
DD (1) DD122148A5 (en)
FR (1) FR2287066A1 (en)
GB (1) GB1435265A (en)
IT (1) IT1042378B (en)
NL (1) NL7510742A (en)
SE (1) SE400393B (en)
ZA (1) ZA755382B (en)

Cited By (40)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4027306A (en) * 1976-04-05 1977-05-31 Richard Hackmeister Touch-responsive circuit and data input terminal using same
US4092640A (en) * 1975-09-27 1978-05-30 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Key input means having a switching element made of a light emitting diode
US4170916A (en) * 1977-06-23 1979-10-16 D. H. Baldwin Company Touch operated capacitive switch for electronic musical instruments
US4250495A (en) * 1979-11-16 1981-02-10 The Singer Company Touch sensitive control panel and a method of manufacture thereof
US4274093A (en) * 1979-02-26 1981-06-16 Technicon Instruments Corporation Keyboard-display combination
US4290061A (en) * 1979-08-23 1981-09-15 General Electric Company Electrically integrated touch input and output display system
US4291303A (en) * 1979-08-23 1981-09-22 General Electric Company Touch pad and display tube circuitry
US4293987A (en) * 1978-03-16 1981-10-13 Texas Instruments Incorporated Method of fabricating capacitive touch switch panel
US4304976A (en) * 1978-03-16 1981-12-08 Texas Instruments Incorporated Capacitive touch switch panel
US4398819A (en) * 1982-01-29 1983-08-16 Xerox Corporation Combination scroll and marquee display
US4405918A (en) * 1980-03-03 1983-09-20 Texas Instruments Incorporated Current sensing of capacitive keyboard arrays
US4447692A (en) * 1981-05-18 1984-05-08 Essex Group, Inc. Control system with interactive display
US4475806A (en) * 1982-09-21 1984-10-09 Xerox Corporation Copier display panel
US4545023A (en) * 1980-11-14 1985-10-01 Engineering Project Development Limited Hand-held computer
US4561002A (en) * 1982-08-30 1985-12-24 General Electric Company Capacitive touch switch arrangement
US4740781A (en) * 1985-02-08 1988-04-26 Itt Gilfillan Touch panel data entry device for thin film electroluminescent panels
US4743895A (en) * 1984-04-05 1988-05-10 Phosphor Products Co. Ltd. Capacitive switches
US4745543A (en) * 1981-08-20 1988-05-17 Fischer & Porter Co. Front panel for a process controller
US4758830A (en) * 1984-10-25 1988-07-19 Ti Corporate Services Limited Switch/display units
US4772884A (en) * 1985-10-15 1988-09-20 University Patents, Inc. Independent sustain and address plasma display panel
WO1989011159A1 (en) * 1988-05-10 1989-11-16 Parker William P Display device
US4885580A (en) * 1983-11-14 1989-12-05 Kyocera Corporation Multi-function key input device
US4893115A (en) * 1985-11-12 1990-01-09 John Fluke Mfg. Co., Inc. Touch sensitive visual display system
US5105186A (en) * 1990-05-25 1992-04-14 Hewlett-Packard Company Lcd touch screen
US5407050A (en) * 1991-03-14 1995-04-18 Kabushiki Kaisha Ace Denken Article control system
US5572205A (en) * 1993-03-29 1996-11-05 Donnelly Technology, Inc. Touch control system
US5796389A (en) * 1994-08-22 1998-08-18 International Game Technology Reduced noise touch screen apparatus and method
US5880718A (en) * 1994-09-15 1999-03-09 Sony Corporation Capacitive touch detection
US5936554A (en) * 1996-08-01 1999-08-10 Gateway 2000, Inc. Computer input device with interactively illuminating keys
US6028591A (en) * 1986-08-27 2000-02-22 Texas Instruments Incorporated Keyboard with flexible display and prompt capability
US6597346B1 (en) 1998-10-02 2003-07-22 Honeywell Inc. Hand held computer with see-through display
US6650305B1 (en) 1998-10-02 2003-11-18 Honeywell Inc. Wireless electronic display
EP1422601A1 (en) * 2001-08-22 2004-05-26 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Touch sensor, display with touch sensor, and method for generating position data
US6776546B2 (en) 2002-06-21 2004-08-17 Microsoft Corporation Method and system for using a keyboard overlay with a touch-sensitive display screen
US20040195203A1 (en) * 2000-11-08 2004-10-07 Stanley Hayashizaki Key top and method for manufacture thereof
US20050088416A1 (en) * 2003-10-22 2005-04-28 Hollingsworth Tommy D. Electric field proximity keyboards and detection systems
US6911969B1 (en) 1998-05-01 2005-06-28 Honeywell International Inc. Handheld computer apparatus
US20100045615A1 (en) * 2008-08-21 2010-02-25 Wacom Co., Ltd. Meshed touchscreen pattern
US20100045614A1 (en) * 2008-08-21 2010-02-25 Wacom Co., Ltd. Extended Touchscreen Pattern
US20100149110A1 (en) * 2008-12-12 2010-06-17 Wacom Co., Ltd. Architecture and method for multi-aspect touchscreen scanning

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USRE32040E (en) * 1976-08-23 1985-11-26 Calculator apparatus with electronically alterable key symbols
US4237421A (en) * 1978-10-19 1980-12-02 General Electric Company Single-electrode capacitance touchpad sensor systems
JPS5663633A (en) * 1979-10-29 1981-05-30 Sharp Corp Character input device
GB2117117A (en) * 1982-03-19 1983-10-05 Starcote Limited Touch responsive switching arrangement
FR2557341A1 (en) * 1983-12-21 1985-06-28 Pellizzari Paolo Graphic information presentation panel
DE4312672A1 (en) * 1993-04-19 1994-10-20 Ulrich Prof Dr Ing Kuipers Apparatus and method for a contactless mouse-compatible PC pointer input device

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2847615A (en) * 1956-11-28 1958-08-12 Digital Tech Inc Memory device
US3207905A (en) * 1961-08-17 1965-09-21 Gen Electric Touch-sensitive optoelectonic circuits and indicators
US3257658A (en) * 1962-07-31 1966-06-21 Bell Punch Co Ltd Calculating machines
US3509408A (en) * 1967-12-13 1970-04-28 Burroughs Corp Display panel with separate signal and sustainer electrodes

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1488795A (en) * 1965-08-05 1967-07-13 Secr Aviation Indicator devices with touch sensitive system
US3696409A (en) * 1970-12-28 1972-10-03 Linquist & Vennum Finger-touch faceplate

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2847615A (en) * 1956-11-28 1958-08-12 Digital Tech Inc Memory device
US3207905A (en) * 1961-08-17 1965-09-21 Gen Electric Touch-sensitive optoelectonic circuits and indicators
US3257658A (en) * 1962-07-31 1966-06-21 Bell Punch Co Ltd Calculating machines
US3509408A (en) * 1967-12-13 1970-04-28 Burroughs Corp Display panel with separate signal and sustainer electrodes

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
IBM Tech. Discl. Bull. vol. 3, No. 11, Apr., 1961, p. 31, Goddard, "Non-Mechanical Keyboard." *

Cited By (59)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4092640A (en) * 1975-09-27 1978-05-30 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Key input means having a switching element made of a light emitting diode
US4027306A (en) * 1976-04-05 1977-05-31 Richard Hackmeister Touch-responsive circuit and data input terminal using same
US4170916A (en) * 1977-06-23 1979-10-16 D. H. Baldwin Company Touch operated capacitive switch for electronic musical instruments
US4304976A (en) * 1978-03-16 1981-12-08 Texas Instruments Incorporated Capacitive touch switch panel
US4293987A (en) * 1978-03-16 1981-10-13 Texas Instruments Incorporated Method of fabricating capacitive touch switch panel
US4274093A (en) * 1979-02-26 1981-06-16 Technicon Instruments Corporation Keyboard-display combination
US4290061A (en) * 1979-08-23 1981-09-15 General Electric Company Electrically integrated touch input and output display system
US4291303A (en) * 1979-08-23 1981-09-22 General Electric Company Touch pad and display tube circuitry
US4250495A (en) * 1979-11-16 1981-02-10 The Singer Company Touch sensitive control panel and a method of manufacture thereof
US4405918A (en) * 1980-03-03 1983-09-20 Texas Instruments Incorporated Current sensing of capacitive keyboard arrays
US4545023A (en) * 1980-11-14 1985-10-01 Engineering Project Development Limited Hand-held computer
US4447692A (en) * 1981-05-18 1984-05-08 Essex Group, Inc. Control system with interactive display
US4745543A (en) * 1981-08-20 1988-05-17 Fischer & Porter Co. Front panel for a process controller
US4398819A (en) * 1982-01-29 1983-08-16 Xerox Corporation Combination scroll and marquee display
US4561002A (en) * 1982-08-30 1985-12-24 General Electric Company Capacitive touch switch arrangement
US4475806A (en) * 1982-09-21 1984-10-09 Xerox Corporation Copier display panel
US4885580A (en) * 1983-11-14 1989-12-05 Kyocera Corporation Multi-function key input device
US4743895A (en) * 1984-04-05 1988-05-10 Phosphor Products Co. Ltd. Capacitive switches
US4758830A (en) * 1984-10-25 1988-07-19 Ti Corporate Services Limited Switch/display units
US4740781A (en) * 1985-02-08 1988-04-26 Itt Gilfillan Touch panel data entry device for thin film electroluminescent panels
US4772884A (en) * 1985-10-15 1988-09-20 University Patents, Inc. Independent sustain and address plasma display panel
US4893115A (en) * 1985-11-12 1990-01-09 John Fluke Mfg. Co., Inc. Touch sensitive visual display system
US6028591A (en) * 1986-08-27 2000-02-22 Texas Instruments Incorporated Keyboard with flexible display and prompt capability
WO1989011159A1 (en) * 1988-05-10 1989-11-16 Parker William P Display device
US4956577A (en) * 1988-05-10 1990-09-11 Parker William P Interactive luminous panel display device
AU625458B2 (en) * 1988-05-10 1992-07-09 William P. Parker Display device
US5105186A (en) * 1990-05-25 1992-04-14 Hewlett-Packard Company Lcd touch screen
US5407050A (en) * 1991-03-14 1995-04-18 Kabushiki Kaisha Ace Denken Article control system
US5867111A (en) * 1993-03-29 1999-02-02 Donnelly Technology, Inc. Touch control system
US5572205A (en) * 1993-03-29 1996-11-05 Donnelly Technology, Inc. Touch control system
US5796389A (en) * 1994-08-22 1998-08-18 International Game Technology Reduced noise touch screen apparatus and method
US6476798B1 (en) 1994-08-22 2002-11-05 International Game Technology Reduced noise touch screen apparatus and method
US6734843B2 (en) 1994-08-22 2004-05-11 Igt Reduced noise touch screen apparatus and method
US5880718A (en) * 1994-09-15 1999-03-09 Sony Corporation Capacitive touch detection
US5936554A (en) * 1996-08-01 1999-08-10 Gateway 2000, Inc. Computer input device with interactively illuminating keys
US6911969B1 (en) 1998-05-01 2005-06-28 Honeywell International Inc. Handheld computer apparatus
US6597346B1 (en) 1998-10-02 2003-07-22 Honeywell Inc. Hand held computer with see-through display
US6650305B1 (en) 1998-10-02 2003-11-18 Honeywell Inc. Wireless electronic display
US7242371B2 (en) 1998-10-02 2007-07-10 Honeywell International, Inc. Wireless electronic display
US20040195203A1 (en) * 2000-11-08 2004-10-07 Stanley Hayashizaki Key top and method for manufacture thereof
US20040217945A1 (en) * 2001-08-22 2004-11-04 Saburo Miyamoto Touch sensor, display with touch sensor, and method for generating position data
EP2261777A1 (en) * 2001-08-22 2010-12-15 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Display device with a touch sensor for generating position data and method therefor
EP1422601A4 (en) * 2001-08-22 2006-10-18 Sharp Kk Touch sensor, display with touch sensor and method for generating position data
US8395595B2 (en) 2001-08-22 2013-03-12 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Touch sensor, display device with touch sensor, and method of generating location data
EP1422601A1 (en) * 2001-08-22 2004-05-26 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Touch sensor, display with touch sensor, and method for generating position data
US8031180B2 (en) 2001-08-22 2011-10-04 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Touch sensor, display with touch sensor, and method for generating position data
US20040212598A1 (en) * 2002-06-21 2004-10-28 Microsoft Corporation Method and system for using a keyboard overlay with a touch-sensitive display screen
US6880998B2 (en) 2002-06-21 2005-04-19 Microsoft Corporation Method and system for using a keyboard overlay with a touch-sensitive display screen
US20050099403A1 (en) * 2002-06-21 2005-05-12 Microsoft Corporation Method and system for using a keyboard overlay with a touch-sensitive display screen
US6776546B2 (en) 2002-06-21 2004-08-17 Microsoft Corporation Method and system for using a keyboard overlay with a touch-sensitive display screen
US7659885B2 (en) * 2002-06-21 2010-02-09 Microsoft Corporation Method and system for using a keyboard overlay with a touch-sensitive display screen
US20050088416A1 (en) * 2003-10-22 2005-04-28 Hollingsworth Tommy D. Electric field proximity keyboards and detection systems
US7145552B2 (en) 2003-10-22 2006-12-05 Solectron Corporation Electric field proximity keyboards and detection systems
US20100045614A1 (en) * 2008-08-21 2010-02-25 Wacom Co., Ltd. Extended Touchscreen Pattern
US20100045615A1 (en) * 2008-08-21 2010-02-25 Wacom Co., Ltd. Meshed touchscreen pattern
US8159467B2 (en) 2008-08-21 2012-04-17 Wacom Co. Ltd. Meshed touchscreen pattern
US8711105B2 (en) 2008-08-21 2014-04-29 Wacom Co., Ltd. Touchscreen with extended conductive pattern
US20100149110A1 (en) * 2008-12-12 2010-06-17 Wacom Co., Ltd. Architecture and method for multi-aspect touchscreen scanning
US8711121B2 (en) 2008-12-12 2014-04-29 Wacom Co., Ltd. Architecture and method for multi-aspect touchscreen scanning

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IT1042378B (en) 1980-01-30
JPS5518933B2 (en) 1980-05-22
NL7510742A (en) 1976-04-05
JPS5158823A (en) 1976-05-22
SE7510750L (en) 1976-04-02
CH589891A5 (en) 1977-07-29
AT356939B (en) 1980-06-10
DD122148A5 (en) 1976-09-12
ZA755382B (en) 1977-04-27
FR2287066A1 (en) 1976-04-30
ATA641175A (en) 1979-10-15
AU8538175A (en) 1977-04-07
FR2287066B1 (en) 1978-12-01
DE2534660B2 (en) 1976-10-21
GB1435265A (en) 1976-05-12
BE832471A (en) 1975-12-01
SE400393B (en) 1978-03-20
DE2534660A1 (en) 1976-04-15

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3971013A (en) Touch keyboard
US4121204A (en) Bar graph type touch switch and display device
US4290061A (en) Electrically integrated touch input and output display system
US4281323A (en) Noise responsive data input apparatus and method
US6124848A (en) Method and apparatus for reducing flat panel display horizontal scan signal interference in the electrostatic pen operated digitizer
US9123258B2 (en) Interface apparatus for touch input and tactile output communication
US4110749A (en) Touch display to digital encoding system
KR100788446B1 (en) Map display apparatus and method for map display
EP0111879A2 (en) Touch-sensitive overlay
US20100097346A1 (en) Capacitive touch buttons combined with electroluminescent lighting
CA1037876A (en) Touch keyboard
US3772685A (en) Touch responsive electric switch and device for the use thereof
US20030095105A1 (en) Extended keyboard
KR910012897A (en) Information input control device
GB2139762A (en) An input device and a method of inputting data to a computer system
EP0375328A3 (en) Tablet integrated with display
GB1274639A (en) Display apparatus incorporating a gas discharge panel
JPH04333919A (en) Window display position controller
JP2002287889A (en) Pen input device
US6229919B1 (en) Character data input apparatus
KR102383022B1 (en) Electronic blackboard with user's personal screen assignment
EP0193177A2 (en) A touch input device
JPH02278321A (en) Input device
KR100453173B1 (en) Touch panel and apparatus and method for driving thereof
JPS57204938A (en) Finger contact type coordinate input device